Knitting machine and method



Feb. 2, i943. o. FREGEQLLE 2,310,070

' KNITTING MACH ENE AND'METHOD Filed June 25, 194G '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Max/r4 dram? flaw WW Feb. 2, 1943. FREGEOLLE 2,310,979 I KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD,

Filed June 25, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9 'o. 'FREGEOLLE KNITTING, MACHINE AND METHOD Filed June 25, 1940 7 SheetsSheet 3 F 2, 1943- o. FREIGEOLLE 2,310,070

' KNITTING MACHINE AND mmton Fildd June 25, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 o FREGEOLLE KNITTINGMACHHE AND METHOD Feb. z, 1943.

Filed Jun; 25} 1940 7 Shets-Sheet s mzzkza'zazzg Feb. 2, 1943. 0.. FREGEQLLE I ,3 0,070

KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed June 25, 1940 7 Shets-Sheet 6 Feb.2, 1943.

I o. FREGE OLLE' KNITTING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed June 25, 1940 7 Sheets- Sheet 7 53 XVI/52117028 riving at the main'yarn feeding station;

atented etba 2, 1943 ED STATES OFFICE KNITTING NETHOD Application June 25, 1940, Serial No. 342,323

30 Claims. (Ci. 669) This case concerns an invention in the knitting art, and more especially, a method and mechanism employed in knitting fabrics having incorporated therein elastic yarn. The elastic yarn is preferably to be incorporated by inlaying and according to the method practiced and mechanism employed certain advantages are forthcoming tending toward a better fabric both with respect to its elastic characteristics and other characteristics including plating of yarns as for ornamental purposes, the method and mechanism employed being of such-a nature as to handle the elastic without interference at the knitting point in regard to knitting or other manipulation of the non-elastic yarns. This case is a continuation as to all common subject matter of applicants co-pending application Serial; #332,161, filed April 29, 1940, Pat. No. 2,247,343.

In. the figures of drawings:

Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show successive steps in needle and sinker movement before and at the elastic yarn feeding point;

Fig. 5 is an isometric view showing feeding of the elastic yarn and the manner in which needles and sinkers are controlled in the initial stages of inlaying that yarn;

Fig. 6 is a section showing a few needles and sinkers after elastic has been interlaced to the front and back of needles, and the manner in which the elastic is controlled by sinkers;

Fig. 7 is a plan of the sinker cam cap and certain of the sinker cams which'affect the movement of sinkers at the elastic yarn feeding point;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing needle cams and the path of needle and jack butts at the main feeding point and at the elastic yarn feedthereafter dropped to a lower level prior to ar- 0 Fig. 14 is a plan showing the elastic yarn feeding means, some of the control therefor, and control for the elastic yarn binder;

Fig. 15 is a view showing certain parts in section and illustrating the relative position and fication involving an elastic yarn feed and two non-elastic yarn feeding stations, needle and Jack cams for the same, andv needle and Jack butt pathways incidental to elastic yam knitting.

Inlaying elastic yarn in plain knitted fabric has heretofore involved certain diillculties with regard to control of tension on the yarn and ultimate tension or stretch of a resulting fabric such as a self-supporting stocking top. Prior methods and means employed have also involved interlacing of the elastic to the front and in back of needles under such tension as to springthe needle hooks out of alignment. This condition has prevailed or existed at the main feeding station or mouthpiece and, when it has been desired to feed yarns in plating relation thereat, the success of the plating has been seriously jeopardized by this misalignment of needles. The method and mechanism herein described and which are continuations in certain respects of subject matter of application Serial #332,161 serve wery efiectively to alleviate the dimculties above mentioned.

Elastic yarn subsequently to be cleared below needle latches and to be cast off into a plain: knitted fabric as an inlaid yarn is fed at a point preceding the main mouthpiece or feeding station, or at least one of such stations. According to the present method that yarn is fed to the hooks of needles and is later to be cleared or passed below needle latches. Rather than feeding over the lower surface forwardly of sinker throats, feeding is at a comparatively elevated position, preferably over sinker nibs. This elastic yarn feedingstation preceding a main feeding station has sinkers so controlled that the elastic wil1 be drawn over alternate sinker nibs or other raised surfaces with respect to a surface to which said elastic yam may later be moved, best results being obtained when drawing over nibs of alternate sinkers. This is on the assumption that the said elastic yarn is to be inlaid according to a 1 x i arrangement, that is, by alternate needles. If other spacing is desired, of course, a different selection and control of sinkers would be desirable.

Referring to Figs. 1 through 4, sinkers generalside of the maly designated by numeral i are arranged as usual to be controlled by sinker cams efiective on butts at the outer ends of the sinker stems. Two types of sinkers are employed, one having standard nibs 2 and another having fiat nibs 3. The sinkers having standard nibs are also equipped with long butts 4 while those having flat topped nibs are provided with short butts 5. Latch needles 6 of conventional construction function in the usual manner. In Fig. 1 the sinkers are shown as they might be controlled at the main mouthpiece whereat non-elastic yarn or yarns may be fed and needles would draw stitches at that point over a surface indicated at I and more or less horizontally disposed at the lower level of sinker throats 8. In Fig. 2 sinkers have all been controlled to cast off as is the usual practice and needles are thereafter raised, Fig. 3, so as to bring needle hooks to an elevated position for taking elastic yarn, the needles not, however, being raised sufficiently to clear their latches of the non-elastic yarn. An elastic yarn guide 9, Fig. 3, feeds an elastic yarn H) to the hooks of needles, all sinkers being pushed inwardly at that particular time. The sinkers are in effect in the same position they occupied after casting loops from the needles. In Fig. 4 a further step is illustrated wherein the standard type sinkers having long butts are withdrawn while the flat topped sinkers are maintained in advanced position so that the elastic yarn will be drawn over the tops of the sinker nibs. By this a much greater amount of elastic yarn is initially measured on" due to kinking of the yarn or, in effect,

'what might be termed elongated stitches of elastic are drawn. It is true that these are not stitches in the sense that they ultimately become knitted loops since the elastic yarn is later cleared below needle latches and passes from the main knitting point as an inlaid yarn. While a great deal of elastic yarn is drawn by this method, the elastic yarn is not actually drawn through a previously drawn loop nor is any previously drawn loop cast from the needle at this point.

At Fig. 5 the elastic yam feeding finger, or the lower end thereof, is shown in the position it occupies during feeding its yarn and several sinkers and needles are illustrated in about the relative positions they occupy just after passing that feeding means. It will be noted that standard sinkers having nibs 2 are drawn rearwardly while the flat topped sinkers remain in forward position. Alternate needles are selected to rise for taking the elastic yarn while intermediate needles remain at a much lower elevation. The elastic yarn may be drawn downwardly to any extent desired so long as non-elastic yarn loops in'needle hooks are not strained. Obviously the height of the special or flat topped sinker nibs, or other surface over which the elastic is drawn, determines the ultimate amount of elastic that can be measured by this system.

After the elastic has been drawn needles are raised and this includes needles which were previously in a lower position, that is, those intermediate needles not selected. Plain sinkers having nibs 2 are pushed inwardly as and for the purpose described in co-pending application Serial#254,247,filedFebruary 2, 1939, the said sinkers holding the elastic yarn in their throats and in such position that when intermediate needles move up the elastic will float behind them.

In Fig. 6 five needles and five sinkers are shown, the elastic being indicated as held beneath nibs 2 of so-called plain sinkers and over the nibs 3 of special sinkers. Previously formed fabric is indicated at H as resting in sinker throats. The nibs 2 of the plain sinkers also serve to hold the elastic down on the needles. Of course all needles move upwardly after the elastic is drawn andremain in a position with the elastic hanging on the latches until they move up the front stitch cam at the main feed at which time latches are cleared.

Referring tc Figs. 7 and 8, cams have been shown such as would be employed on a plain machine and for the purpose of controlling sinkers and needles at the main feed or mouthpiece as well as at the elastic yarn feeding station. A sinker cam cap I 2 carries side sinker cams l3 and i4 and a center sinker cam 15. Sinker butts are controlled by these cams so that the sinkers themselves pass in an appropriate sinker wave at this point in the machine. A cam 16 of triangular shape is so mounted and constructed as to engage long sinker butts 4 only and draw those sinkers outwardly. There is a corresponding triangular notch or indentation ll opposite the cam iii in the end of the side sinker cam M. The cam 16 and the notch il function to impart movement to so-called plain sinkers as described above with respect to Figs. 4 and 5. Short butts 5 pass beneath cam l6 and thus the special sinkers having nibs 3 are unaffected at this position. A few sinkers have been illustrated in Fig. 7, it being noted that every other sinker is drawn outwardly while intermediate sinkers remain projected fully inward. Cam 18 of usual construction holds sinkers inwardly until they are again controlled by the front side sinker cam l3 and center sinker cam I5.

Referring to Fig. 8a cam plate l9 has fixed thereon a needle raise cam 20 while the main cam block carries stitch cams 2i and 22, center raise cam 23 and a guard cam 24. These are of conventional construction and will not be described in further detail. The raise cam 20 is cut away to accommodate a stitch wave induced by cam 25. As shown in Fig. 9, each of the needles 6 has a butt 26, there being the usual division of long and short butts as in Banner hosiery machines. A short jack 2'! has a butt 28 which rides along just above cam plate l9 and is guided within a space of triangular cross section formed between the beveled lower edge of raise cam 20 and the top of plate l9. Cam 29 movable selectively to and from butt engaging position is adapted to contact these butts 28 and thereby raise jacks and incidentally needles so that the hooks of needles take the elastic yarn and cam 25 may then function on butts 26 to draw down needles as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. A jack 2'! is provided beneath alternate needles or, of course, those needles which are selectively to be elevated for taking the' elastic yarn. Raise cam 20 is notched as indicated in Fig. 8 so that cam 29 may move to and from its active position and so that butts 28 may move up cam 29 and downwardly as the Jacks themselves are pushed down by needles. The surface 30 of raise cam 20 is of such a height that needle butts 28 move alon at too low an elevation to engage elastic yarn ID. The cam is notched out beneath the point of elastic yarn drawing cam 25 and then an inclined surface 3| elevates all needle butts and needles back to the usual raise cam position.

Now referring to Figs. 14, I5, 16 and 17, certain parts of a. typical hosiery machine have been shown sufficient to illustrate the essential elements entering into the performance of the method herein described. A needle cylinder 32 is rotatable in the usual way carrying needles 6 and having the usual sinker assembly rotatable'therewith of which the sinker cam cap [2 is a part. A carrier ring 33 is pivoted on post 34 and in an extension 35 has movably mounted a plurality of yarn feeding levers or guides 36. Abinder for the yarns fed by levers 36 includes among other elements a supporting bracket 31, plate 38, main binder 39 and a ,cutter 40, Figs. 14 and 15. The main binder and cutter are operated by a lever d l link 42 and extension 43, these elements being moved through 9. depending rod or link 44 which extends downwardly to certain connections at cams on a main cam drum.

The yarn feeding finger 9 extends upwardly and connects to one arm of a horizontally disposed lever 45. This lever 45 is pivoted on a shaft .46, Figs. 14 and 1'7, which passes through the upper end of post 34, but is fixed within the extension to the carrier ring 33 so that when the carrier ring is swung upwardly the shaft 46 turns with the carrier ring extension but turns within its bearing at the upper end of the post. A link or rod 41 connects at the outer end of the lever 45 and extends downwardly connecting to other elements so as to impart movements from certain cams on the'main cam drum for withdrawing the elastic yarn feeding lever and allowing the same to drop to active position. The control for the main cam drum through the mechanism just described functions at the start or at the edge of a stocking top at which time the elastic yarn is first introduced and does not operate again until the said yarn is withdrawn at the end of knitting a top.

A secondary control is provided for this elastic yarn feeding means and this secondary control serves to move the elastic yarn feeding finger 9 from its lowermost position to a position in which its yarn will not be taken by needles, such movement being possible at every other courseor at other spaced intervals according to the spacing of the elastic yarn desired. Of course, if the elastic is to be incorporated at each course in the fabric this secondary control is not used.

A shaft 48 is rotatable in bearing lugs 49 and 55, said shaft having at one end a vertically disposed finger and at the other end a more or less horizontally disposed finger 52. The finger 5| contacts with a depending lever or arm 53 which is an integral or connected part with the lever 55. In an extension 54, a tappet 55 is adapted to slide vertically within a sleeve 58, Figs. 16 and 17. This tappet engages beneath the horizontal finger 52 at its upper end and at its lower end, is in alignment with certain cams 51 and 58, diametrically opposed on a drum 59 which rotates with 104-tooth gear 50 on shaft 6|. The 104-tooth gear rotates one turn for every four revolutions of the needle cylinder so that when providedwith two cams such as 51 and 58, the mechanism just described serves to raise the elastic yarn feeding means to inactive position once every two revolutions. The length of each of these cams is such as to hold the finger out of feeding position a complete revolution, while each space between cams allows the finger to remain in feeding position for the intervening revolution of the machine. The result is that the elastic will feed in every other course but will be floated across the needle cylinder at intervening courses. A suitable elastic yarn take-up is obviously to be used. A spring 52, Fig. 1'7,- normally tends to maintain the elastic yarn feeding means in active position. A stop 63 is so adjusted as to limit movement of depending arm 53 and thus movement. of the feeding means 9 so that the end of the feeding means will, when in active position, just clear the tops of sinkers.

This feeding means is adapted to bring the elastic yarn very close to passing needle hooks, but as shown in Fig. 5, a projection 64 is so positioned as to force the yarn inwardly against the shanks of needles and beneath their hooks. This projection 64 is so shaped that the needle hooks passing above it are not affected thereby. Such close feeding m'akes certain that the elastic'yarn when introduced is taken at the earliest possible needle.

The elastic yarn is to "be taken within and cut by an independent binder which includes a vertically movable rod 65 slidable within a guiding sleeve 66. This rod 65 has at its lower end a notch 61 so constructed as to serve at one side I to bind the elastic yarn against the lower edge of 1 sleeve 66, and at the other side, is so constructed as to cut that yarn. A spring 68 normally tends to retain the binding and cutting elements in closed position. This binder and cutter are fully described and claimed in co-pending application Serial #330,857, filed April 22, 1940.

An arm 69, Figs. 14, 15 and 16 is fixed at one end of the shaft 46 and at itsouter end serves to support a pivot Ill for a lever 'H which is curved inwardly and terminates in a flattened portion I2 bearing on the topof binder and cutter elements 65. A link 13 has a pin 14 at its upper end engageable above the lever 1|. Said link 13 extends downwardly to connect either directly or indirectly to a lever'lB which is in turn controlled by certain cams on one of the main cam drums whereby the elastic yarn binder maybe operated at desired intervals.

Since the arm 59 is fixed to the end of shaft 48 and shaft 46 in turn is adapted to move with carrier ring 33, whenever the ring is swung upwardly, the binder controlling means maintains its general position with -respect to the elastic yarn binder and other elements. The link 13 does not move, but lever ll moves out from beneath pin 14 so that the binder itself is unaffected. When the carrier ring is moved back to active or horizontal position the elements again assume their respective positions as shown in Fig. 15.

In Fig. 10 sinker cams, needles and sinkers are shown in positions they would occupy at about the malnyarn feeding point. Cams illustrated herein are of a type employed in plating ma-.

chines and include front and rear sinker cams I8 and I1 and center sinker cam I8. The sinkers are shown being controlled by these cams, a sinker wave being produced by center cam 18 which draws all sinkers outwardly and the point of cam 11 which projects them inwardly for casting of! previously drawn loops. Elastic yarn is shown as having been taken in the hooks of alternate needles and floated behind intermediate needles while sinkers are all moved inwardly, the elastic bein drawn over the nibs of alternate sinkers and being held within the throats of intermediate ones. This condition has prevailed after needles were drawn down by cam 25 and when their butts were riding upon the top surface of cam 20. It can be seen that under these circumstances the elastic is held under considerable tension and needles are bent forwardly and rearwardly according to whether the elastic passes in front of or behind the shanks. At about the outermost point of movement of sinkers as controlled by cam 18, the elastic is dropped from the nibs or elevated surfaces over which it has been drawn and it can be seen that under those conditions the said elastic yarn loses its tension and needles assume proper alignment. The elastic yarn itself then becomes horizontally kinked as it passes to the front and back of alternate and intermediate needles, respectively. A non-elastic yarn is shown being taken within the hooks of needles at about the point such yarn would normally be fed, needle latches having been cleared of the elastic and previously drawn stitches, the latter not being shown for purposes of clearness. Continuing to the right, Fig. 10, needles are drawn down by stitch cam 22, sinkers are pushed in by the point of cam 11 casting oil. the elastic and old loops, the result being that plain fabric is knitted with elastic inlaid at alternate wales. If at this point two yarns are to be fed in plating relation, or if tuck work is to be done, or if both plating and reverse plating are to be accurately controlled the problem is no greater than it would be in such machines wherein elastic yarn was not involved at all. As previously inlaid by methods heretofore employed, the elastic yarn would maintain needles in misalignment at the left of Fig. 10 even to the point of knitting at the main feeding station. By getting more elastic material into the fabric at each revolution of the machine, the elastic, although under enough tension for proper control, does allow alignment oi needles and proper control of plating reverse plating, or other work wherein misalignment of the knitting instrumentalities would adversely affect the same.

In Fig. 13 a sinker has been shown having a nib 3 which corresponds to the nib 3 of Figs. 1 through 5.- The elastic yarn I is shown as drawn over the nib and in a second position ID to which it would have dropped prior to knitting at the next following non-elastic yarn feeding station. In Fig. 12 this same elastic yarn is shown as it would be drawn over a nib 13 of a reverse plating type sinker 80. Said elastic yarn would thereafter be dropped down from the nib to the inclined surface 8! at H). In certain instances it is not so convenient to draw over the tops of nibs of sinkers adapted to reverse plate since these nibs are quite rounded at their top surface. In such event an elastic yarn may be drawn as shown in Fig. 11, over an inclined forward edge BI and later said sinker moved outwardly releasing tension on the elastic yarn I 0 by dropping the same to a lower position l0 along said inclined edge. In this particular instance all sinkers are controlled alike, that is, it is not necessary to push said sinkers inwardly while retaining others outwardly.

In Fig. 18 a diagrammatic illustration of a machine construction and its method of operation appear wherein in addition to the elastic yarn fed, there are two non-elastic yarn feeds. The elastic yarn feeding means 9 feeds the elastic yarn H] as previously described and thereafter, an auxiliary feed 82 intervenes between that elastic feeding station and a main yarn feeding station at which a guide 83 and other similar means may feed a second non-elastic yarn. In this particular example it is contemplated to plate and float for pattern effects, to knit tuck work, or to produce mock wrap, so-called. To this end Jacks 84 having selective butts 85 and master butts 86 are placed beneath each needle. The said Jacks have butts 81 and 88, the only distinction between these being that butts 8B are long and butts 81 are short. Selecting members 89 are so controlled as to elevate je ks having long butts 88 whereupon their master butts 86 pass up a cam 90.

A cam 9| acts as a stitch drawing cam at this auxiliary non-elastic yarn feed and cam 92 serves as a sort of raise cam and also as a jack lowering cam. The elongated cam 93 is a sort of guard cam for both non-elastic yarn feeds, and also serves at certain times as an instep cam. Jack cam 94 is efiective on butts 88 to raise certain jacks and needles at the feed 83, it being evident at this point that the top plunger 89 and cam 99 may be used to elevate selected needles at either of the feeding stations 82 or 83. Such manipulation of needles is desired when tucking is to be done such as in the knitting of a tuck top or edge of any type, especially the type of co-pending application Serial #332,161. Of course, tucking may be for ornamental purposes throughout any parts of a knitted article. Cams 95, 98 and 91 function as described in the application just mentioned for purpose of drawing stitches of yarn fed by yarn feeding means 83. At the elastic yarn feeds, cam 25 functions with raise cam 20' in drawing elastic yarn, selection of needles being controlled by movable cam 98 which acts upon jack butts 88.

Three pathways of butts are shown, a lower pathway as indicating the path of jack butts a1 and 88. At the first knitting station all Jacks are raised and all needle butts move in pathway I00, top plunger 89 selecting jacks while master butts 86 of jacks thus selected raise up cam 99. All needles will knit the yarn fed at 82 since needle butts pass downwardly beneath cam 9|. Cam 92 then serves to raise needles to a yarn taking position but not a latch clearing position. Cam 94 contacts long butts 88 only so that Jacks having such butts control their needles to be raised to clearing position as indicated by the pathway of needle butts adjacent to cam 95. All needles either draw yarn or knit beneath cam 96 and thereafter alternate needles, or such needles as are desired, draw elastic yarn I9 beneath cam 25', the cam 98 acting as a selectin means to elevate alternate needles to elastic yarn taking position. What has just been described with respect to Fig. 18 applies to knitting in the top or selvage portion of a knitted fabric and wherein tuck work is done as in application Serial #332,161. When tuck work is no longer to be continued, a front stitch cam (not shown) is moved into position at the main yam feeding station, that serving to clear all needle latches so that all needles will take yarn and knit at the feed 83.

The employment of three feeds allows the elastic to be spaced yet avoids floating the same across the needle circle. This type of machine is obviously to be desired when wrap patterns are to be knitted and when elastic yarn is to be knitted in non-adjacent courses.

The invention has been described by reference to certain specific embodiments of the same in a typical hosiery machine of circular independent needle type, but it is to be understood that the principles are applicable to other types of machines such as flat bed machines, either of independent or united needle type. Variations as to spacing of needles for taking elastic yarn and wales at which the same may be inlaid are contemplated as also are the number of courses over which said yarn may be spaced. The invention is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of incorporating a non-elastic and elastic yarn in a plain knitted fabric by drawing the non-elastic yarn over sinker edges and drawing said elastic yarn over the nibs of sinkers positioned above the aforesaid sinker edges.

2. A method of incorporating non-elastic and elastic yarn in plain knitted fabrics by drawing the non-elastic yarn over sinker edges and drawing the said elastic yarn over the nibs of the said sinkers which are positioned above the said sinker edges and thereafter dropping said yarn from the nibs prior to inlaying in association with a non-elastic yarn.

3. A method of inlaying an elastic yarn in circular independent needle knitting machines including the steps of projecting sinkers inwardly as the elastic yarn is fed to the hooks of needles, drawing said yarn over sinker nibs positioned above the usual yarn drawing edges and thereafter raising needles until the elastic passes beneath the latches thereof prior to taking the non-elastic yarnwith which the elastic is to be inlaid.

4. A method of inlaying an elastic yarn in circular independent needle knitting machines including the steps of positioning sinkers inwardly to-such a point that as the elastic yarn is fed to the books of needles, said yarn will be drawn over relatively raised surfaces on said sinkers, and thereafter moving said sinkers to a'position in which said elastic yarn will drop from said relatively raised surfaces to lower surfaces prior to clearing needle latches and knitting a non-elastic yarn. I

5. In a knitting machine the combination of latch needles, sinkers with nibs, means for feeding non-elastic yarns, means for feeding an elastic yarn in advance of the means for feeding said non-elastic yarn; and means for so controlling needles that the elastic yam will be taken in needle hooks initially but will be cleared below needle latches prior tofeeding non-elastic yarns, and means for so controlling sinkers that nibs thereof will be in position to have the elastic yarn drawn over them at said elastic yarn feeding station.

6. In a knitting machine the combination of independently actuated latch needles and sinkers having nibs, two yarn feeding stations, one

at which'non-elastic yarns are fed and a second at which an elastic yarn is'fed, said elastic yarn feeding station being in advance of said nonelastic yarn feeding station, means for so controlling sinkers that some at least of them will be in a forward position so that elastic yarn will be drawn over relatively raised surfaces thereon at said elastic yarn feeding station, and other means for withdrawing sinkers so that said elastic yam may drop from said relatively raised surfaces prior to knitting at the said non-elastic yarn feeding station.

7. In a knitting machine the combination of needles and independently actuated sinkers, beds for needles and sinkers, some at least of said sinkers having yarn drawing edges and relatively elevated nibs with. suitable surfaces above them over which yarn may be drawn, differentiating butts on said sinkers and a cam for moving sinkers outwardly relatively to needle and sinker beds, said cam being so constructed as to operate on some of said sinker butts but to fail to contact others of said sinker butts.

8. A method of knitting including depressing needles to a yarn drawing position to draw rela-' tively non-elastic yarn over the edges of companion sinkers, causing sinkers to be advanced and causing alternate needles to be elevated to a position to engage elastic yarn in their hooks but insufficiently to clear their latches of ,the non-elastic yarn, thereafter causing the said alternate needles to be depressed to draw the elastic yarn over edges of the sinkers above the mentioned edges, and thereafter elevating the needles to clear the latches of the elastic,and non-elastic yarns, and then again knitting ,nonelastic yarn.

9. A circular knitting machine havingindependently movable needles and sinkers} means for feeding non-elastic and elastic yarns to the needles, the said elastic yarn being fed to alternate needles only and at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, alternate sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, means for causing the alternate needles to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of alternate sinkers, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers.

10. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for feeding non-elastic yarn to all the needles for a plurality of courses and for feeding elastic yarn to alternate needles only and during the knitting of the same courses, means for causing alternate needles to knit the non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck non-elastic yarn during the knitting of some only of the same courses, and for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the non-elastic yarn continuously, the said elastic yarn being fed to said alternate needles at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, alternate sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib'above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge,

' and means for causing the alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of alternate sinkers, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers.

11. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for feeding two non-elastic yarns to all the needles for a plurality of courses and for feeding elastic yarn to alternate needles only and during the knitting of the same courses, means for causing alternate needles to knit one said nonelastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck said last mentioned non-elastic yarn during the knitting of some only of the said courses, and for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the nonelastic yarn continuously, the said elastic yam being fed to said alternate needles at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, alternate sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a. nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, and means for causing the alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of alternate sinkers, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers.

12. A circular knitting machine having indeendently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding two non-elastic yarns to all the needles for a plurality of courses and for feeding elastic yarn to every other needle only and during the knitting of the said plurality of courses, means for causing the said every other needle to knit one said non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said plurality of courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck said last mentioned non-elastic yarn during the knitting of some only of the said plurality of courses, and-for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the non-elastic yam continuously, the said elastic yarn being fed to said every other needle at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, every other sinker having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, aid nib having a. horizontal yarn drawing edge, means for causing the said every other needle only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of every other sinker, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers, and means for thereafter withdrawing the said every other sinker thereby causing the elastic yarn to drop oil the mentioned sinker nibs and on to the mentioned sinker edges.

13. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding two non-elastic yarns to all the needles for a plurality of courses and for feeding elastic yarn to every other needle only and during the knitting of the said plurality of courses, means for causing the said every other needle to knit one said non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said plurality of courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck said last mentioned non-elastic yarn during the knitting of some only of the said plurality of courses, and for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the non-elastic yarn continuously, the said elastic yarn being fed to said every other needle at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, every other sinker having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, and means for causing the said every other needle only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of every other sinker, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers.

14. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding two non-elastic yarns to all the needles for a plurality of courses and for feeding elastic yarn to alternate needles only and during the knitting of the said plurality of courses, means for causing alternate needles to knit one said non-elastic yarn continuously durmeans for causing alternate needles ing the knitting of the said plurality of courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck said last mentioned non-elastic yarn durlng'the knitting of some only of the said plurality of courses, and for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the non-elastic yarn continuously, the said elastic yarn being fed to said alternate needles at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, alternate sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each saidsinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, means for causing the alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of alternate sinkers, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers, and means for thereafter withdrawing the said alternate sinkers thereby causing the elastic yarn to drop off the mentioned sinker nibs and on to the mentioned sinker edges.

15. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means I for independently feeding two non-elastic yarns to all the needles for a plurality of courses and for feeding elastic yarn to alternate needles only and during the knitting of the said plurality of courses, means for causing alternate needles to knit one said non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said plurality of courses, to knit one said non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said plurality of courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck said last mentioned non-elastic yarn during the knitting of some only of the said plurality of courses, and for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the non-elastic yarn continuously, the said elastic yarn being fed to said alternate needles at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, alternate sink ers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, and means for causing the alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of alternate sinkers, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers.

16. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding non-elastic yarn to all the needles for a plurality of courses and for feeding elastic yam to every other needle onlv and during the knitting of the said plurality of courses, means for causing the said every other needle to knit said non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said plurality of i courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck said non-elastic yam during the knitting of some only of the said plurality of courses, and for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the non-elastic yam continuously, the said elastic yarn being fed to said every other needle at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, every other sinker having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, means for causing the said every other needle only to engage the elastic feeding elastic yarn to every other needle only and during the knitting of the said plurality of courses, means for causing the said every other needle to knit said non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said plurality of courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck said non-elastic yarn during the knitting of some only of the said plurality of courses, and for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the non-elastic yarn continuously, the said elastic yarn being fed to said every other needle at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, every other sinker having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, and means for causing the said every other needle only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of every other sinker, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers.

18. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding non-elastic yarn to all the needles for a plurality of courses and for feeding elastic yam to alternate needles only and during the knitting of the said plurality of courses,

means for causing alternate needles to knit said non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said plurality of courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck said non-elastic yarn during the knitting of some only of the said plurality of courses, and for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the non-elastic yarn continuously, the said elastic yarn being fed to said alternate needles at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, alternate sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end'of the said. edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, means for causing the alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the hori-' zontal edges of the sinker nibs of alternate sinkers, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers, and means for thereafter withdrawing the said alternate sinkers thereby causing the elastic yarn to drop OK the mentioned sinker nibs and on to the mentioned sinker edges.

19. A circular knitting machine having inde= pendently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding non-elastic yarn to all the needles for a plurality of courses and for feeding elastic yarn to alternate needles only and during the knitting of the said plurality of courses,

means for causing alternate needles to knit said non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said plurality of courses, means for causing alternate needles to knit one said non-elastic yarn continuously during the knitting of the said plurality of courses and means for causing the intermediate needles to tuck said non-elastic yarn during the knitting of some only of the said plurality of courses, and for thereafter causing the said intermediate needles to knit the non-elastic yarn continuously. the said elastic yarn being fed to said alternate needles at a point spaced from the feeding of non-elastic yarn, alternate sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a. threat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, and means for causing the alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of aitemate sinkers, approximately to the flrstmentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers. v

20. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding a non-elastic yarn and an elastic yarn to the needles of a knitting machine,

means for causing all the needles to knit the nonelastic yarn and means for causing the hooks of alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn in their hooks, the said elastic yarn being fed to the hooks of the said alternate needles at a point spaced from the feeding of the non-elastic yarn, alternate sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, means causing the said alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of alternate sinkers, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers, and means for thereafter withdrawing the said alternate sinkers thereby causing the elastic yarn to drop off the mentioned sinker nibs and on to the mentioned sinker edges.

21. A circular knitting machine having mass pendently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding a non-elastic yarn and an elastic yarn to the needles of a knitting machine, means for causing all the needles to knit the non-elastic yarn and means for causing the hooks of evemcther needle only to engage the elastic yarn, the said elastic yarn being fed to the hooks of the said every other needle at a point spaced from the feeding of the non-elastic yarn, the sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, means causing the said every other needle only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of every other sinker, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers, and means for thereafter withdrawing the said every other sinker thereby causing the elastic yarn to drop off the mentioned sinker nibs and on to the'mentloned sinker edges.

22. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding a non-elastic yarn and an elastic yarn to the needles, means causing all the needles to knit the non-elastic yarn and means causing the hooks of alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn, the said elastic yarn being fed to the hooks of the said alternate needles at a point spaced from the feeding of the non-elastic yam, the sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, and means causing the said alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of alternate sinkers, approximately to the first mentione horizontal edges of the sinkers.

23. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles andsinkers, means for independently feeding a non-elastic yarn and an elastic yarn to the needles, means causing all the needles to knit the non-elastic yarn and means causing the hooks of every other needle only to engage the elastic yarn in their hooks, the said elastic yarn being fed to the hooks of the said every other needle at a point spaced from the feeding of the non-elastic yarn, every other sinker having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, each said sinker having a throat at one end of the said edge and having a nib above the throat, said nib having a horizontal yarn drawing edge, and means causing the said every other needle only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the horizontal edges of the sinker nibs of every other needle, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers.

24. A circular knitting machine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding a non-elastic yarn and an elastic yarn to the needles of a knitting machine, means for causing all the needles to knit the non-elastic yarn and means for causing the hooks of alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn in their books, the said elastic yarn being fed to the hooks of the said alternate needles at a pointspaced from the feeding of the non-elastic yarn, alternate sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the nonelastic yarn, there being edges elevated above the said sinker edges, and means causing said every other needle only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the said elevated edges, approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers, and means for thereafter withdrawing the said alternate sinkers therebycausing the elastic yarn to drop off the mentioned sinker nibs and on to the mentioned sinker edges. I

25. Av circular knitting machine having independently. movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding a non-elastic yarn and an elastic yarn to the needles of said knitting machine, means for causing all the needles to knit the non-elastic yarn and means for causing the hooks of every other needle only to engage the elastic yarn, thesaid elastic yarn being fed to thehooks of the said every other needle at a pendently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding a non-elastic yarn and an elastic yarn to the needles, means causing all the needles to knit the non-elastic yarn and means causing the hooks of alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn, the said elastic yarn being fed to the hooks of the said alternate needles at a point spaced from the feeding of the non-elastic yarn, the sinkers having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, and edges elevated above the said sinker edges. and means causing the saidalternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the said elevated edges approximately to the level of the first mentioned edges of the sinkers.

2?. A circular knittingmachine having independently movable needles and sinkers, means for independently feeding a non-elastic yarn and an elastic yarn to the needles, means causing all the needles to knit the non-elastic yarn and means causing the hooks of every other needle only to engage the elastic yarn in their hooks, the said elastic yarn being fed to the hooks of the said every other needle at a point spaced from the feeding of the non-elastic yarn, every other sinker having edges over which the needles draw the non-elastic yarn, there being edges elevated above the said sinker edges, and means causing the said alternate needles only to engage the elastic yarn and draw the same over the said elevated edges approximately to the first mentioned horizontal edges of the sinkers.

28. A method of knitting including knitting a non-elastic. yarn into plain knitted fabric and feeding an elastic yarn to recurrent needles only and measuring that yarn by drawing the same over nibs of recurrent sinkers and then causing the said elastic yarn to be dropped from the said sinker nibs prior to again knitting non-elastic yarn.

29. A method of knitting including drawing a non-elastic yarn into knitted stitches to knit a plain fabric section and feeding an elastic yarn to recurrent, spaced needles only and measuring that elastic yarn by. drawing it over nibs of sinkers, and thereafter, withdrawing said sinkers over the nibs of which said elastic yarn is drawn so as to drop the elastic yarn from those nibs whereupon needles intermediate said recurrent, spaced needles may be raised to interlace the elastic yarn in front and in back of predetermined needles without disturbing the alignment of said needles. I a

30. A method of knitting including knitting a relatively non-elastic yarn byall of the needles of a series of needles, then feeding a relatively elastic thread to the needles in such a manner that it is positioned in the hooks of alternate needles but is not engaged by intermediate needles, the said non-elastic yarn previously drawn still remaining in the hooks of the needles, then causing alternate needles to draw the elastic thread over .sinker nibs while intermediate needles remain at a low level so as not to engage the said elastic thread, thereafter withdrawing sinkers so as to drop the elastic thread from the nibs thereof and then raising intermediate needles in front of said elastic thread thereby to interlace said elastic thread in front of and in back of needles without disturbing the alignment thereof.

OSCAR FREGEOLLE. 

